Understanding Outlook Data Files And The Need Of OST Conversion

Reliable solution to Execute OST to PST Conversion

Conversion of offline OST file to Outlook PST format is needed when a user requires to access their email out of Exchange server Environment. Before discussing the conversion process we are going to explain a few general points.

What is PST file: -

PST is a format that is used by the outlook to store the copies of the Calender, messages, Task, Contacts, Notes, attachment, and many more things.PST files are used by all versions of the Microsoft Outlook. The PST file of Outlook 2000 and Outlook 2002 are stored in the ANSI format that have a maximum size of 2GB and later versions of PST stores the file in the UNICODE format and can store a maximum of 20GB (for Outlook 2003 and Outlook 2007) and 50 GB + extendable (for Outlook 2010).PST file makes the Email Portable, i.e., we can move the mail from one mailbox to another because except for Outlook for Mac, PST files are supported equally by all versions of MS Outlook.

What is OST File: -

OST stands for Offline Storage Table and is used in Outlook (in connection with an Exchange Server) and is created when the Cache Exchange mode is on. This file provides users with the facility to access their Mails, contacts, calendar, etc., without the server in connection with a client, i.e., in offline mode which is why it is known as the Offline Storage Table. Later, this data (in OST) file can be synchronized with the respective Exchange server having its corresponding mailbox.


The Exchange Data can be used in two modes: -

1. Using OST File when Cache Exchange Mode is on
2. Using EDB File when Cache Exchange Mode is off

When Cached Mode is on, then a copy of the mail is generated at the user end as well as at the server end and the user can directly access the mail whenever it is required from his computer. In the absence of this mode the user can access the mail only from the server and there is no copy at the user end. The server always maintains all the logs of mails that are exchanged between the end users and stores them in the EDB file.

The Default location of the OST file is

C:\Windows\Profiles\user name\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

OR

C:\Windows\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

Difference Between OST and PST Files:-

Structure of the PST and OST files are almost similar but to use the PST file for email sync, we need to be connected to internet while OST files can be accessed and used in offline mode using Outlook Exchange Server.

Why OST To PST Conversion is Nedeed: -

As we know that to access OST files we need to have the Exchange Mail Server. We cannot access OST file Without Exchange Server environment or we cannot access the OST files if our Exchange Mail Server is not configured properly. Now the question is how to read OST files, in this case.

In such scenario we have two choices to view the OST files:-

1. First, is with the help of the free OST file viewer.
2. And the Second is to Create PST from OST file.

There are some manual methods also to do the same thing, but to perform this one should have good technical skills and also have ample of time: -

Using Archive: -

The archive is used to move mailbox to the .pst file, but when you connect to Exchange server and able to sync OST file data. Every file & folder scan be moved to the PST except the Contacts. There is no mechanism to Archive the Contacts. But in case of OST file corruptions we cannot open or archive that OST file and for that an appropriate solution is required.

How OST To PST Conversion is Carried Out?

One of the best solution is to use OST to PST Converter Tool. With the help of this tool a user can perform several tasks like:

• Create PST from OST file and can also split the resulted PST file into multiple files.
• Repair the Corrupted OST files.
• Provide Facility to Access OST File without Exchange
• Software also apply mail filter to export specific data.
• With the help of Advanced Scan we can recover deleted items of OST file.
• Recovers lost or deleted emails from the OST file.
• It supports all Outlook and Exchange server versions
• Options to convert the OST into many formats like:-  .pst, .eml, .msg.
• Exports selected Item from OST and we can also Export Selective files and folders.

Complete OST To PST Conversion can be carried out using OST Recovery Tool which can recover lost emails from OST files. Also convert the OST file into other popular formats like MSG and EML  file format.  The tool is also capable to convert orphan OST to PST files or we can say that this tool allow you to access OST file without Exchange Server Environment.